Mary Birdwell begins her fourth season as the volunteer Cross Country/Assistant Track & Field Coach at BSC.

Birdwell spent over 43 years in the high school ranks, combining 29 years at Hoover City Schools as a teacher and coach of Cross Country/Track & Field, Gymnastics, Tennis, Basketball, Volleyball and Swimming. Throughout her coaching career she has produced Cross Country and Indoor Championships (8), guided two swimming teams and one gymnastics team to titles, and her freshman teams won nine state crowns. This dedicated coach has also served for the past 33 years as Hoover Parks and Recreation USATF Track Club director and Youth Chair Alabama USATF.

In 2002, Birdwell was inducted into the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Hall of Fame and the Oak Ridge High School Sports Hall of Fame.

Birdwell is a widow and has two sons, Paul (married to Liz) and Andy (recently engaged). She has one grandchild, Emily (8).